Pick: Dartmouth

PENN AT YALE

After an unverified report came in last fall demonstrating that Yale’s undergraduate education routinely fluctuated between the “third … and fifteenth”-best in the country, its law school was the subject of this week’s putdown—ranking 14th in the National Law Journal’s annual rankings. In the same study, Penn ranked second.

Does that have any bearing on this game? Does Darien Nelson-Henry have what it takes to handle Justin Sears down low? Does a wolf look both ways before it marks its territory?

Sadly, the answer to all three is ‘likely not’.  

Pick: Yale

PRINCETON AT BROWN

Harvard extended its winning streak over the Tigers to four games with a rousing comeback Saturday at Lavietes. Junior co-captain Siyani Chambers was the hero late—notching a steal and layup to give Harvard a late two-point lead and clinching the game with a jumper from the top of the key.

A bright spot emerged this week among the somnolent darkness in the form of The Daily Princetonian’s online content. Debuting what I hope becomes a weekly feature about the failings of furry rodents, the newspaper published a seminal work on, and I quote, “10 Reasons Squirrels Are The Worst.”

While not quite the excellence that was former Crimson president Samuel Y. Weinstock’s ’15 scintillating account of urban biomes, entitled “Yard Service Recycle Leaves into Mulch,” I commend Princeton for its efforts. Stay classy, men.

Pick: Princeton

HARVARD AT COLUMBIA

Over Harvard’s ridiculous road stretch, the routinely most challenging location has been Columbia’s Levein Gymnasium. Two years ago, the Crimson waited through a Saturday snowstorm delay only to be smoked by 15. Last year, a game-winning shot by Alex Rosenberg was called off on a questionable charge, and the Lions fell in double overtime.

Columbia guard Maodo Lo, who nearly carried Columbia to a victory in Harvard two weeks ago, is clicking on all cylinders—averaging 25.5 points a game last weekend. The Chairman has a wicked crossover, good vision, and a silky-smooth three-point shot. Asked about him Wednesday, Amaker—who watched his best wing defenders flail attempting to contain Lo last time out—shook his head and offered a succinct description of the man they call the “Chairman.”

“He’s…he’s good.”

Pick: Harvard

—Staff writer David Freed can be reached at david.freed@thecrimson.com.